Details
Image(s)
TitleMusical Marotte with Cylinder Movement
Creatorunknown
Year ca. 1906
Object number0218
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with cylinder
DescriptionThis little figure may look like an automaton, but it does not move by itself. It is actually a marotte - a kind of marionette. A marotte normally consists of a puppet head on a fabric-covered stick (like others in our collection), but this specimen also has a body, complete with a little outfit.
The doll's head is made of bisque porcelain. The doll's clothing is silk, the pillow is velvet, and both the pillow and the doll's dress are trimmed with lace.
Accompanying textsThe playing comb has 36 teeth, and there is one melody programmed on the music cylinder.
Originally marottes were grinning, maybe slightly scary heads on sticks that were also adorned with bells. They were shaken by medieval jesters and entertainers, for example, during their speeches and performances, or to interrupt. The later marottes in our collection look a bit more like toy dolls.
Originally marottes were grinning, maybe slightly scary heads on sticks that were also adorned with bells. They were shaken by medieval jesters and entertainers, for example, during their speeches and performances, or to interrupt. The later marottes in our collection look a bit more like toy dolls.
Dimensions
geheel length: 38 cm
geheel diameter: 13 cm
cilinder length: 4 cm
cilinder diameter: 1.6 cm
geheel diameter: 13 cm
cilinder length: 4 cm
cilinder diameter: 1.6 cm